A Pound of Web Development - Essential Next Steps on Your Web Development Journey

Becoming a Self-Sufficient Web Developer - An Introduction to Self-Learning

All successful web developers know that self-learning is the key to their success. The ability to find and utilize resources to learn on your own makes you a powerful asset, but lacking these skills makes you a burden on any development team. This article will introduce you to some of the most powerful tools and resources available to web developers. It's up to you to take the next step and leave no stone unturned in your quest for web development glory.

Google: Your Very Best Friend in Web Development

Google is an incredibly powerful search tool. Knowing how to effectively employ Google Search can shorten your learning process and rapidly sharpen your skills. When you encounter a problem or want to learn something new, simply type a descriptive query into Google's Search box and scour the results for relevant material.

How to Use Google Effectively:

Construct your search queries so they are brief and specific:
- this works: "how can I remove a bullet point from an unordered list of items using CSS"
- this is better: "remove bullet point list item"
Use keywords related to the technology you're working with:
- "create html checkbox"
Add terms like "tutorial," "example," "how to," or "documentation" to refine your search:
- "React documentation"

The written description of how a piece of software works is called documentation.
It's crucial for understanding how to use libraries, frameworks, and tools effectively.

Manual Pages (man pages): Built-In Documentation

Manual pages, commonly referred to as "man pages," are a form of software documentation found on Unix-based systems like macOS and Linux. They provide detailed information about command-line programs and tools.

Accessing man pages: you can access man pages by typing man followed by a command in the terminal, e.g., man ls for information on the ls command.

W3Schools: A Reliable Learning Resource

W3Schools is a great resource for beginners. It offers tutorials and references for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many other web technologies. The documentation is easy to follow and includes interactive examples.

Key W3Schools Documentation:

W3Schools was once considered sort of a sham website. They've since allocated considerable resources to updating and expanding their documentation. I started my web development journey in 2017 and have been using it ever since. It's a phenomenal resource for beginners because they explain everything like the reader is age 5. You'll use it less and less as your knowledge grows, but don't be afraid to rely heavily on W3Schools in the early stages of your journey.

Mozilla Developer Network (MDN): Resources for Developers by Developers

Mozilla Developer Network is a go-to resource for developers looking for in-depth documentation on web technologies. MDN covers everything from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to more advanced topics like web APIs and browser compatibility. MDN is a phenomenal resource for web development, but it's written at an undergraduate level which makes it less friendly for early career developers. Do not shy away from MDN. I would argue that it should almost always be your first choice for documentation, but use W3Schools if you get confused or overwhelmed.

Using Google to find MDN documentation: you can Google a web development concept followed by MDN to find relevant documentation. For example, searching for "JavaScript toString MDN" will lead you to the MDN documentation on Object.prototype.toString(), aka, the toString() method.

Stack Overflow: Your Go-To for Problem Solving

Stack Overflow is a question-and-answer site where developers ask and answer technical questions. Many jokes are made about Stack Overflow copypasta. Stack Overflow answers are powerful and effective, but can be confusing until you get your sea legs.

How to use Stack Overflow:

Search: for your problem or error message using the Stack Overflow platorm or by using Google Search and adding the keywords "Stack Overflow"
Ask: submit your own question on the platform if you can't find an existing solution
Participate: beware that this community sometimes seems rabid and cantankerous to new users so wear a thick leather jacket and some sort of helmet, but don't let it stop you from participating

Reddit: Communities for Developers

Reddit is home to many communities (subreddits) where developers share knowledge, ask questions, and discuss technology. Here are five subreddits that are particularly useful for web developers:

Meetup.com: Connect with Local Developers

Meetup.com is a platform where people create and join groups around shared interests, including technology and web development. Attending tech meetups is a fantastic way to network with other developers, learn new skills, and stay updated on industry trends. Many meetups feature presentations, coding sessions, and Q&A opportunities that can be incredibly valuable.

Getting Started with Meetup.com:

Create an account: sign up on Meetup.com and set your location
Search for tech meetups: use keywords like "web development," "JavaScript," "React," or "coding" to find relevant groups in your area
Join groups: that align with your interests and keep an eye on their upcoming events
Attend meetups: participate to learn from others and expand your Network

Meetups are an invaluable resource. Bring a good attitude and make friends. Most people want to make friends with you so don't be shy.

Discord is a communication platform popular among gamers that has also become a hub for tech communities. Most developers use Discord to discuss programming, share resources, and collaborate on projects. Joining tech-related Discord servers can provide you with real-time support, advice, and camaraderie as you learn and grow in your web development journey.

A Few Tech-Related Discord Servers:

The Odin Project: a community for learners of The Odin Project, an open-source coding curriculum focused on web development
Frontend Mentor: a server for users of Frontend Mentor, where you can get feedback on your web development projects
freeCodeCamp: the official server for freeCodeCamp, a free coding education platform with thousands of students worldwide
The Coding Den: a general coding community that welcomes developers of all skill levels to share knowledge and solve problems together
Reactiflux: a community of React developers where you can get help with React, JavaScript, and web development in general

How to Make the Most of Discord:

Engage with the community: ask questions, participate in discussions, and offer help when you can
Stay active: regular participation helps you build connections and stay informed about the latest trends and tools
Leverage channels: use different channels within a server to focus on specific topics, whether it's coding help, project collaboration, or casual chat

Joining tech-related Discord servers gives you access to a supportive community that can help you overcome challenges and celebrate your successes as a web developer.

Engineering Blogs to Follow

Reading blogs from experienced developers can provide insights and keep you updated on industry trends. Here’s a collection of engineering blogs worth following:

Udemy: Find Relevant Courses for Web Development

Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, including web development. You can find courses on virtually any topic within web development, from basic HTML and CSS to advanced JavaScript frameworks. There are plenty of other online learning platforms, but Udemy offers such an extensive and inexpensive course catalog that I feel it works best for new devs.

How to Use Udemy Effectively:

Search: look for courses that match your current learning goals
Be discerning: don't get caught up in course titles - look for courses on specific topics with the highest ratings, best reviews, and most recent updates
Be a cheapskate: take advantage of Udemy's frequent discounts to purchase courses at a lower price - don't buy courses at full price... I promise they'll go on sale

I find that it's slow and difficult to follow Udemy courses by pair programming. It's hard to follow the instructor even when playback is set to a snails pace. I prefer to watch blocks of course content and then practice on my own when I feel like I've adequately grasped a major concept.

Tips and Tricks

Learn to Google like a pro: use specific queries and add relevant keywords
Focus on learning the basics: master the foundational skills before diving into advanced topics
Learn only what you need today: don't overwhelm yourself with too much information at once
Avoid rabbit holes: diving too deep into a topic, losing track of your original goal is called diving into a rabbit hole
Ask for help: If you’ve been stuck on a problem for more than 30 minutes, it’s time to seek help.
Stay on task: Don’t jump from one topic to another without completing the current task.
Come back later: You can always revisit topics you skipped for a deeper understanding.
Stay Curious: always be open to learning new things, but keep your focus on what's important now.

This guide is the final installment in my intro to web development. It is designed to list the resources that have helped me succeed over the years. No instructor, no teacher, no professor, no mentor can teach you everything. You must learn on your own. Using these resources effectively will start you well on your way to becoming a proficient web developer.

Check out my other posts from this blog series:

Tablespoon of Web Development Cup of Web Development Pound of Web Development